Remembering the legacy of Corporal Souleymane

We are sad to announce that Caporal Souleymane Tangara, a member of our Mali Elephant Project’s Anti-poaching Unit, was killed by jihadists when responding to an attack on UN personnel in Douentza. To honor his legacy and provide support to the family he leaves behind, his wife and twin daughters, WILD is holding a week-long fundraiser. All funds raised will be sent to Souleymane’s family in Mali. Please consider donating to help provide his family with food, shelter, school fees, clothes, and transition to establishing a means of income.

Memorial courtesy of Nomba Ganame, Field Manager of the Mali Elephant Project.

Souleymane Tangara, known by most as Soul, and to others as “Tiébakoro” which means “exceptional man”, was born on the 5th of November, 1985 in Ségou, Mali.

On June 20th, 2005, he entered the Malian army as a volunteer. He received his professional military training at the Centre D’Instruction of Ségou, the region’s military base. In time, Soul received a certificate in CIT transmissions at Kati. Starting in 2006, he put in to motion a variety of missions : specifically, Tombouctou, and Kidal (aka Operation Djiguitougou, meaning “satisfaction”). During the mission of Kidal, he was awarded a prestigious medal symbolizing an act of heroism and bravery. In June 2011, Soul was admitted to an American training camp for reconnaissance work.

In January of 2012, he moved up to the first tier of the army and on April 1st, 2012 was awarded the rank of Corporal.

In October, 2015, he became part of the GTIA-Debo team and since this date was a member of the anti-poaching ground efforts in Mali. On the 25th of October, 2016, Tangara and other military comrades were based at Hombori for elephant anti-poaching patrols. On June 19th, 2017, he was placed on the elephant protection mission under the command of GTIA-Debo, specifically within the Dambé operation. Dambé signifies “of social, morale, and identifying value.”

Corporal Tangara is survived by his wife, Kadidia Camara, and twin daughters, Maimouna and Djénèbou.

From the very first day of his official integration within the brigade to fight elephant poaching and during each patrol, Corporal Souleymane Tangara never stopped recognizing the beauty and ecological value of these animals. He always repeated, “These elephants are amazing, they are just magnificent in wild nature. How dare anyone kill this animal?”

Souleymane was an extremely engaged, motivated, and courageous military official with everlasting patriotism for his country and an unparalleled sense of determination. On Monday August 14th, 2017, at approximately 5:00 am, Soul heroically gave his life while on the MINUSMA mission in an attempt to keep gunmen out of the United Nations headquarters in Douentza.

Corporal Tangara is survived by his wife, Kadidia Camara, and twin daughters, Maimouna and Djénèbou, who were born on August 21st, 2017, just a week after their father’s passing.Although, it is an absolute tragedy that these little girls will never get to know their father, they will surely learn about his great legacy and all of the valiant missions he served on.